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RE: Can't Change Everything

in Reflections4 days ago

I think we don't know (or think we don't know) how else to do things. Because we realize we are finite, and understand this may be a lengthier undertaking than our lives will permit, and at the end of the day, we all want to get along. Meaning, if I only have fifty years left on this Earth, will I live them against my peers, causing ruckus, being unliked and perhaps ostracized (as many revolutionaries in some field or another are)? Most decide they can't afford that, so they keep propping up the system, feeding their own bitterness and contempt.

How could I change it if I am just one person? And how many individual "persons" does change require?

I don't know (either). Often, we say we can't change everything, but if we take a closer look at the things we are changing, though, we find there aren't many, at all. It's the mindset. If I think I can't change everything, I will change nothing.

So while I resonate with the statement, I think a better approach to life would be, "I can change everything, but must know to pick my battles". Don't know if the difference of nuance transmits. As ever, fascinating read. :)

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Because we realize we are finite, and understand this may be a lengthier undertaking than our lives will permit, and at the end of the day, we all want to get along.

Kick the can to other generations. Eventually though, we run out of generations to kick to.

Meaning, if I only have fifty years left on this Earth, will I live them against my peers, causing ruckus, being unliked and perhaps ostracized

Totally understandable, right? It is the same thing that most Germans did back in the day. Same as what most people do in all kinds of situations where society shifts to something they don't support, but want to get along.

How could I change it if I am just one person? And how many individual "persons" does change require?

At scale, I don't know either. But for the value of my own life, do I want to live the same as others, when I do not value it?

"I can change everything, but must know to pick my battles".

Picking battles is vital. We need to be discerning with where we spend our attention, but I reckon most of us (including myself) waste our attention on the unimportant.

As ever, fascinating read. :)

This is what I am here for - I think :)